Wood Win Play Off Final - Borehamwood vs. Whitehawk

The new stand at Meadow Park

As I had a wedding reception the following weekend, this was my last Saturday of the season. I had a choice between Rayleigh Town versus Manford Way in The Essex Olympian League and The Conference South Play Off Final which was between Borehamwood and Whitehawk. Against my better judgement I went for the later. This was a revisit as I had visited Meadow Lane for an FA Trophy tie against Romford in the 2010-11 season which was their first season in the Conference South. Whitehawk have flown up the leagues in recent season and my visit to The Enclosed Ground was in the same season for an FA Cup tie with Hendon back in their Ryman South days. Back to this season and the two sides had finished in second and fourth respectively and had both won the away legs of their semi finals to get to this stage.

Kick off in the big game

As you'd expect in such a game, the opening stages are quite cagey and both sides best chances come from free kicks. Whitehawk's is a header that goes just wide and the Borehamwood player is perhaps a touch lucky not to get booked for the initial foul. Borehamwood's chance from a free kick is when the attacker finds himself in space at the back post but he only finds the side netting. Into the second half and Whitehawk come close with another header from a set piece. The opening goal comes when a free kick from a clumsy foul finds the bottom corner to put the home side ahead. Whitehawk equalise when the attacker is bundled over in the box and the resulting penalty is buried past the keeper. There are no further goals and the match goes to extra time. The Borehamwood winner is a volley on the turn which the Whitehawk keeper had no chance of saving. The home defence survive the onslaught to claim their place in The Conference Premier for next season. 

The impressive Whitehawk following

Borehamwood is on the regular Thameslink line and trains take about half an hour from St Pancras. Meadow Park is then a fifteen walk away through the town centre. Five minutes from the ground is The Wishing Well which is perfect for the early kick off. The clubhouse has been significantly expanded since my previous visit and now is a lot bigger and now also has Sky Sports. While waiting for my train back I visited The Alfred Arms which is around the corner from the station.

So that's my last post of the season. Throughout the summer I'll be aiming to fill the gaps in The Combined Counties and Ryman Leagues as well as The Conference South.

Whitehawk attack in the first half

Shock Fails To Materialise - Boreham Wood vs. Romford

View towards the main stand. 

I've been planning on visiting Boreham Wood since I've moved to London and their FA Trophy tie against Romford is on paper a decent game to go to. Boreham Wood have had a tough time of it since winning the Ryman Premier League play offs, but a flurry of signings and an improvement in performances have given them some hope of staying up. Romford have faired better in their second season in the Ryman League. An exciting front line and a mean defence (they've only conceded six in the league so far) suggest that there is a potential shock in store.

The only cover at Meadow Park.

I learn that a couple of the exciting forwards I saw play for Romford at Ware are cup tied and this would prove to be detrimental to the away side. Boreham Wood take the lead inside five minutes. Staines Town's cup hero from last season, Ali Chaaban scored his first goal for his new club. He was played through and slotted home from the edge of the box. It's no surprise when Romford fall further behind following a spell of dominance from the home side. A low cross is drilled in to the area and the defender can't help but turn the ball in to his own net. Romford force the Wood goal keeper in to a fine save on half time but go in two down. 

First half action looking towards the uncovered standing behind one of the goals.

Romford try to get back in to the game in the second half but the game has become very scrappy and there isn't a lot of football played. Frustration starts to get the better of the Romford players and there are quite a few late challenges. It is another own goal that finally kills off Romford. A free kick from the right hand side is glanced past the goal keeper by the unfortunate defender. Romford do have one final chance but the Boreham Wood goal keeper makes a quality save.

The third Boreham Wood goal.

I rushed to the club house to watch the second half of the Arsenal vs. Spurs match after being misinformed that it had Sky. On the 15 minute walk from the station to the ground I passed several pubs on the high street. There is also The Betjeman Arms at St Pancras Station which is worth a visit before getting the train to Elstree and Borehamwood Station. The train takes under twenty minutes and departs every thirty.

More first half action looking behind the other goal.